Information-directed Systems
•All material handling movements are directed and monitored by the command of microprocessors.
•To begin with all required handling movements are fed into the computer for analysis and equipment assignment.
•Analysis of handling requirements and equipment assignment is done in such a way that direct movements are emphasized and deadhead movements are minimized.
•Work assignments are provided to individual forklifts by terminals located on the truck.
•Communication between the computer and the truck uses radio frequency (RF) waves with antennae located on the forklifts and high up in the warehouse.
•Information-directed systems can increase productivity by tracking material handler performance and allowing compensation to be based on activity level.
•A single handling equipment may be involved in loading or unloading several vehicles, selecting many orders, and completing several handling assignments, thus increasing the complexity of work direction.
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